Population Speculation

[pictash.livejournal.com]

This might be a bitty bit out-of-le-blue, but I have a little discussion I've been having with my friends lately and I want to know what you guys think.

What exactly do you think is the main reason for Naruto's insane popularity? I mean, in the past five years it's become the most popular mainstream anime since InuYasha. I'm honestly curious as to why it is that this particular series has become so insanely huge that you can't pass a single elementary school without seeing some eight-year-old in a Sasuke T-Shirt they got from Hot Topic when there's plenty of anime out there just as compelling, maybe even with better character development and steadier plot lines. Why Naruto? Is it the inane ability of Cartoon Network to turn something small and insignificant (*coughBen10cough*) into a completely disproportionate phenomenon?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not downplaying Naruto. I profess I am just as addicted to the weekly manga updates as the next lj addict. I'm just wondering, why this series?

DISCUSSING NAO PLZ.

Comments

[lorryl.livejournal.com]

...I read your subject line and immediately thought this was going to be a post about the population density of Konoha...

..I am such an urban planning nerd..

[pictash.livejournal.com]

WE CAN DISCUSS THAT TOO.

[demondreams.livejournal.com]

LOL same here, that or trying to see where the large fan centers are geographically.
::wonders just how many ninja ARE in Konoha::

[therealkaichan]

I thought the same.
Yet, my own head answered to me in a cracky manner: You don't know, because THEY ARE NINJA.

Yes, my head outcracks me xD

[pictash.livejournal.com]

I do that all the time. xD

Yeah, the character variety is a big part. I admit, there are a few characters I'm a big fangeek of the wonderous Sand Sibs (Also, Naruto, Hinata, Shikamaru, Chouji, Assorted Random-nin...) And that is probably a reason I keep tuning in, to see what shenanigans my bestest manga buddies will get into this week.

[zelos22.livejournal.com]

Cartoon Network definitely helped its popularity here in the states. heck, thats how i first discovered it. Shounen Jump is also one of the top manga publishers. as an anime, its pretty easy to follow, has good action and fun characters, making it all-around easy to get into. i think the epicness of the series also contributes; its long with a lot going on, giving more time for people to get into it ((InuYasha was long as well)). shorter anime still get their fans, but it wears off after a while since theres just nothing new once those series are over. i predict the Naruto fandom will probably shrink a little after its over. you have to admit, its fun having something to follow week after week and discuss/debate different theories about all the different things in Naruto's vast world :). the large fictional world could also be a plus since fanfic writers can pretty much go wild and not affect the main story at all.

[pictash.livejournal.com]

I've done some MANGA MATH.

InuYasha (the last epic shonen series) went on for twelve years and five-hundred and fifty chapters.

Naruto has been going on for nine years.

We either have three more years or 132 weeks. Perhaps.

[demondreams.livejournal.com]

nine years? seriously?! so figure how long has it been popular in the US though? since I KNOW it hasn't been that long over here

[pictash.livejournal.com]

Started in 1999. I don't know when it was adopted by VIZ but I think it was some time in 2005. *dashes off to check wikipedia*

[demondreams.livejournal.com]

It's so odd to think that, but then I remember that it's a chapter at a time, and the manga started a while before the anime series. It's like finding out that Inu Yasha just ended after 12 years! though kudos to any mangaka who's fortunate enough to have such steady work lol

[centimetre.livejournal.com]

I can see another 10 years on Naruto.

SERIOUSLY.

*wishful thinking*

well, as long as it doesn't DIE the way Inu Yasha did. I mean like that was just.. terrible

Although from the way the manga had been going, I thought Naruto was going to die

[libraire.livejournal.com]

I TRUST KISHIMOTO TO MAKE IT AMAZING ;_;

PLS DON'T DISAPPOINT KISHI.

[eli-artemisia.livejournal.com]

Your Icon = ADORABLE!!!!

[chirigami.livejournal.com]

They're freakin' ninja, we all know they're badass - though, things can be debated in the Naruto-verse I think >>; but I think their occupation helped a little bit since people/kids seem to be in love with them and pirates.
And story - though, often debatable now too - and characters and yadda. But still... ninja.

I personally got into it after seeing a picture from when Naruto went a little Kyuubi way back in the Wave country arc ["omg, main character has a demon locked inside him? AWESOME"]. I loved the tidbit of demons in the story and... want more demons/myth 'cause I'm a sucker for it ;o;
... the ninja aspect helped too.

[pictash.livejournal.com]

Ninjas FTW.

I luff the way Japanese Folklore squeezed it's way in there. The little kids with their "LOL I GOTZ A DEMUN IN MEH. FH33R MAI SKILLZ."

And we do. We do ph33r their skillz.

[demondreams.livejournal.com]

I can only speak to the US phenomenon since I have no clue about over in Japan bu my guess would be:
1) Ninja
2)main characters at the same age as kids who get obsessed and buy everything with the name on it (ala Pokemon). ..(as apposed to us sophisticated fanpeople of course >.>)
3) on at a time when said children can readily watch it.
4)ninja
5) enough deeper plot and structure to also bring in older fans
6) only significant ninja action that people have had since the Ninja Turtles (which were also hugely popular) as far as I can remember
7) both cheesy and non-cheesy humor (for all ages and maturity levels)

ummm that's all I can think of at the moment. the other thing comes down to :The right series at the right time which was then marketed properly
I'm sure the huge Japanese fanbase helped establish it in the country too, those fans who love ANYTHING that's big in Japan because, hey! It's big in Japan!

[demondreams.livejournal.com]

1. I agree, It's nice to see people with in a cartoon that actually have DIFFERENT and UNIQUE personalities! as well as coming from different backgrounds and family types

2. An anime meant for all ages yay! well...it probably wasn't REALLY meant for little kids but given the editing it now is

3. or other references for those who do know a bit about mythology ie: Orochimaru, and his Kusanagi sword , and the Sannin

4. amen to that! and the jutsu are so varied! something for everybody, how many other animes make shadows so damn AWESOME?!

5. And yet he's the LOVABLE dumb jock. he's so dumb at times you can't help but love him, kind of like the stupid puppy who keeps running into walls

6.or Aqua Teen Hunger Force

[sanee-ftw.livejournal.com]

I agree strongly with number 4. [/fangirl]

[demondreams.livejournal.com]

::fangirls right along side you::
and also! The Akimichi family, allowing plus sized anime fans to accurately cosplay since 1999!

but ya Nara <3

[pictash.livejournal.com]

Any size can cosplay. I have seen an anemic Chouji and an obese Ino. It's all in good fun. xD

Plus, in SWACon '09 you are going to see a tiny Temari and a chubby female Sasuke. Ever since I heard their american voice actors were married I just had to do it. I had to.

[demondreams.livejournal.com]

well yea any size can cosplay but it's nice to cosplay as someone who actually has your body type (sexy no-jutsu Chouji here I come!. And I could probably do a descent Tsunade since the over jacket would hide some of the weight and I certainly have the other two main parts of the costume *couch )
THEY"RE MARRIED?! SERIOUSLY?! reminds me of Blue Seed, the voice actors for the lead characters (who were romantically involved no less) got married, they had little figurines of their characters on their wedding cake ^_^

[pictash.livejournal.com]

...

BEST. WEDDING. EVAR.

Yep. Yuri Lowenthal and Tara Platt. Ruining everyone's OTP's since... well, since they got married, I guess. :/

[demondreams.livejournal.com]

LOL but giving credence to OTHER OTPs . God I wonder if any fans sent them Dj's of those two characters as wedding gifts

[amelia-seyroon.livejournal.com]

TWELVE-YEAR-OLD HINATA IS ME AT THAT AGE.

That is all.

[amelia-seyroon.livejournal.com]

Rar.

[youkofox.livejournal.com]

The intriguing character where even 'villains' have a plot and story background is what it makes it interesting to me. Like kazie_komicat pointed out, there's someone everyone feels attached to for some reason. For me, it's Neji. It has a nice amount of angst, drama, fluff, and so many possible pairings, but what really makes things like Naruto popular is setting.

Worlds like Naruto and Full Metal Alchemist are appealing because they're solidly based. There's fact and fiction mixing together wonderfully. In a reality-based world, there's scientific theory and an element of magic science can't explain and that's what makes it interesting. It's fascinating, thinking about the world alone. It's why I love the series itself, even if I don't care for many of the major characters.

[pictash.livejournal.com]

Fullmetal Alchemist= Pure unadulterated win with epic on top and a side helping of pwn.

[demondreams.livejournal.com]

seconded ! but [info]youkofox makes a good point, the world the series inhabits is very flushed out. Close enough to ours that we can relate but different enough that it's still an escape.

[monkeybananayum.livejournal.com]

It appeals to all kinds of people, that's why. It's lighthearted and fun, but can still be mature and thoughtful. And it never takes itself too seriously. And kids love the action and fighting. And kids make up a large portion of anime fans. It's very mainstream. I know people that you'd never expect to watch anime that like Naruto (and Avatar)

Plus, there are so many likable characters. Pervy Sage!

And the story is good (excluding fillers, but those can also be good).

So what animes do you think are better then?

[senior-witch.livejournal.com]

My own speculations why this is popular (concentrating on the first season):

- story of the outsider who finds his way is always popular. (Kids identify with the outsider, even if they are no outsiders themselves.)

- lots and lots of cool fights with the good guys winning.

- friendship is important, even more than fighting, even more than love, and this appeals to kids too. (I imagine a fan between ten and twelve years old.)

- it gives encouragement. (Naruto's way of the ninja.)

- it has enough psychological depth and moral complexity to make it fascinating for a long time. Kids will not always understand it, they will not even always notice consciously, but they will still sense that there is something deeper to Naruto than to a lot of other stories. When they grow older they will also understand the deeper themes.

I won't write about why I like it myself - I have done this more often than is good. (Maybe I should see that I have the links ready for occasions as this one.)

But though I tried, I never got into other mangas. "Naruto" has a warm feeling that other mangas don't have it, probably because their is a lot of fighting, it is still mostly about forming bonds, and also I love the artwork, which seems less standardized and more detailed to me than that of a lot of other mangas, and - I don't know how else to express it - I get the impression that Kishimoto invests a lot of love into his pictures.

[centimetre.livejournal.com]

I completely agree on the warm feeling. While I had always recognized the potential for mass popularity that Naruto had, I failed to realize (until I actually read the manga) that there was warmth to the story, to the art. That actually surprised me when I first read the manga, but kind of gives a clue as to why it was successful

[libraire.livejournal.com]

That, yes. *___* It's why Naruto got me hooked, actually. I always felt there was a warmer feeling to it than most series. The friendship aspect, also, for kids...I think it's way easier for them to identify to that than to identify to a character being in love. I'd never really thought about that aspect before but it makes a lot of sense.

[centimetre.livejournal.com]

I've known this would happen with naruto since about 2004. In fact since then I've wanted to own the licensing and merchandising rights to naruto stateside. but I am no bandai.

D:

naruto has that kind of general kiddie appeal. like pokemon. but it actually has a story, a plot, and compelling characters. it's like the anime version of harry potter

come on, it's gotta be obvious! you coulda seen this coming from a mile away.

even in 2003 people at us conventions were all decked out with naruto headbands. 2003!

[centimetre.livejournal.com]

also, while inu yasha had straight up girly romantic appeal

naruto has

yaoi appeal

i am so not even kidding

[kyandii-holic.livejournal.com]

Here in Japan, Naruto is still one of the most popular series with Bleach.
While InuYasha doesn't nearly have the popularity it has on the American fans...

The reasons are many but obviously the main one is that everyone can find there what they like! It's a shōnen full of adventures and ninjas (that seem to have a huge appeal on people xD), it has funny and tragic moments and epic battles, the characters are so many that everyone can find someone to look up to. It's not a romance manga but it gives a large chance of pairing up characters in canon, fanon and crack, allowing het, yaoi and yuri at the same time. [and BL fangirls are like a biiiig customer mafia xD]

Then, it's full of merchandise! When several goods are released, a mangaka can tell he/she has scored since business usually suck more people in and companies get more and more interested in the series! ^o^
Also if it's aired on Americans channels, it has more chances to be seen xD

[hi-no-neko.livejournal.com]

I'm gonna go with:

1) A large cast of characters, where every reader can find at least a couple that they adore/relate to. They all have pretty interesting character designs . . . and as everyone else has mentioned, oodles of pairings to be made.

2) An amazing, awesome world. Kishimoto may get a little WHAT in the plot from time to time, but he's developed a universe well past "this is where the action happens, and there are occasionally mountains."

3) CRAZY-ASS NINJA FIGHTS.

[pictash.livejournal.com]

My favorite fight is a tie. It's either Shikamaru vs. Temari @ the chuunin exams (BEST. FIGHT. EVAR.) or Team Earrings + Kakashi and Naruto vs. The Immortal Akatsuki. I'm leaning towards number one, because it was just SO. F**KING WIN.

[sanee-ftw.livejournal.com]

Oh my God, I KNOW.

(Marley, sorry if it seems like I'm stalking you by commenting on the same things you do.)

[hi-no-neko.livejournal.com]

Oh man, that's a tricky one . . . I'm gonna go with "any time Shikamaru does his freaky analytical thing".

And Ino vs. Sakura, for slightly different reasons.

[pictash.livejournal.com]

I was just using an example. xD In reality I've had my eye on a group shirt that include all the genin, the jounin, the hokages and the sand sibs. It makes me kind of want to cry a little from pure win.

But I keep spending my paychecks on manga, so merch is basically out of my reach. D:

[demondreams.livejournal.com]

don't forget the tag lines, BELIEVE IT! ^_~ jk

[demondreams.livejournal.com]

true true ... and it cracks me up like you wouldn't believe